WO2011099045A1

WO2011099045A1 - Automatic vending machine for the distribution of loose liquids

Info

Publication number: WO2011099045A1
Application number: PCT/IT2011/000034
Authority: WO
Inventors: Diego Ferronato
Original assignee: Df Italia S.R.L. Unipersonale
Priority date: 2010-02-09
Filing date: 2011-02-07
Publication date: 2011-08-18
Also published as: IT1398015B1; ITVI20100025A1

Abstract

Automatic vending machine for the distribution of loose liquids and, particularly, raw loose milk, comprising an outer casing (10), provided with a panel (11), on which a seat (14) is made, where at least one container can be placed during dispensing of the loose liquid, and at least one storage tank or vat (16) of the loose liquid, with which a dosage group is associated which includes delivery means (20) of the loose liquid which is conveyed from the tank (16) to an output pipe e, thus, the container; in particular, at least one electromagnetic flow-meter or litres counter is placed between said output pipe and said delivery means (20), suitable to carry out a delivered loose liquid substance measure which is not influenced by external factors, such as pressure, temperature, viscosity and/or density of said loose liquid substance.

Description

AUTOMATIC VENDING MACHINE FOR THE

DISTRIBUTION OF LOOSE LIQUIDS

The present invention generally relates to an automatic vending machine for the distribution of loose liquids and, particularly, concerns an innovative vending machine intended for direct sale, from producer to consumer or through third parties, of predefined and/or variable doses of loose raw milk.

Automatic machine for the distribution of raw milk have recently been introduced in the market, that is which does not undergo any heat treatment (pasteurization and/or sterilization), either homogenization, suitable to offer an always active and cheap service for customers.

In practice, the milk from the barn, filtered and cooled at a temperature between 0 and 4°C is then transferred into tracked containers or tanks, having a variable or prefixed capacity and ready to be conveyed to the self service vending machine, which represents the real point of sale.

The container for transporting milk contains all the equipment suitable to deliver the product at the vending machine and, in particular, provides an agitator, a tube made of steel or plastic material for suctioning milk, a food use pump for dosing milk and a small delivery nozzle.

Such a container replaces the equal one provided in the vending machine, which, almost emptied, will then be bring back to factory for eliminating the milk unsold, having nourishment of young cattle as main destination.

The vending machine of loose raw milk is usually placed in outdoor spaces, such as lay-bys, public gardens, parks, etc.. or inside shops and/or supermarkets, and normally comprises a cold store of industrial type, having a completely insulated structure, presenting a front opening with safety lock.

Its interior is constantly kept at a temperature below 4°C by an industrial refrigeration plant and continuously monitored by a thermostat, so that, if the internal temperature might exceed such a value, the vending machine will instantly and automatically block the request for money and, therefore, delivery of milk.

A visualization screen or display outside the store continuously shows the temperature of delivery of milk, while one or more typically tracked transport tanks, characterized by a pre-established and variable capacity and entirely made of steel for food products are inserted inside the store.

The delivery niche is the point of actual sale of the product and is cooled tat approximately the same temperature of the cold store, being positioned and included in it; it communicates with the outside through a door which can be opened by the customer and is internally and superiorly washed by respective timed jets of cold water and/or steam.

The vending machine can be equipped with a kiosk made of wood or metal, which includes all the apparatuses mentioned above and, moreover, included in the kiosk itself, an automatic device for the sale of closed bottles and/or packaged products, such as yogurt, cheese, etc, can be also added

In case of sale of food products, the vending machine will be provided with a refrigeration system, in order to keep products at a temperature suitable for conservation.

In addition, in traditional vending machines the level of the product inside the tank is usually controlled by a specific weighing machine, which, according to the values of residual weight (in kilograms of milk) and tare, set from time to time, eventually blocks the request for money for the delivery of the product, when the milk is exhausted.

An outer display may also be provided in order to highlight the amount of residual milk contained in the tank, so as to avoid opening the cold store and tank for inspection and check of the residual milk and, thereby, preventing the contamination of the milk from the outside.

Finally, the vending machines of raw milk of known type can usually deliver prefixed quantities of milk (preferably equal to 1/2 litre or 1 litre), and this is based on the quantity of money inserted into the special slot, located on the outer wall of the cold store.

In particular, depending on customer's choice, the milk delivery pump is operated only for a prefixed time set to delivery in the bottle the quantity chosen by the customer.

Such a procedure, however, does not allow to make the delivery of an exact quantity of milk, but only guarantees the delivery of a minimum quantity of product, since external factors such as pressure, temperature, viscosity and density of the product substantially affect the result and the consequent measure.

It follows that in traditional vending machines, even if the customer requires the delivery of a prefixed dose of milk, the quantity of product delivered varies, firstly, as the parameters of outer pressure and temperature vary and, secondly, whenever the tank installed in the point of sale is replaced (because the viscosity and density of the product varies, in addition to the different features of the pumps installed in the tanks).

Within the above mentioned requirements, therefore, purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic vending machine for the distribution of loose liquids, which is able to accurately measure the flow passage and the amount of liquid delivered, following the selection of the desired amount by the customer.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic vending machine for the distribution of loose liquids, which manages various payment systems (coins, banknotes, electronic keys, etc.) and enables and/or blocks the sale of the product and/or dosage in particular operating conditions.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic vending machine for the distribution of loose liquids, which allows the customer to choose one of the available doses to be dispensed, through certain activation buttons, once the credit has been inserted.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide an automatic vending machine for the distribution of loose liquids which allowing the user to view from outside, through a screen, the product to be purchased, date, temperature of the product and quantity delivered, giving relevant information to the customer.

Further purpose of the invention is to indicate an automatic vending machine for the distribution of loose liquids, which allows to give back a sum equal to the unused rest and/or corresponding to the amount of product not delivered from the machine.

These and other purposes are achieved by an automatic vending machine for the distribution of loose liquids, according to claim 1 attached.

Other technical features of detail of the automatic vending machine, according to the present invention, are set forth in the following claims, dependent from claim 1.

Advantageously, the automatic vending machine of loose raw milk, which is the object of the present invention, includes a dosage group of predetermined volumes in order to offer reliability and accuracy in the measure of the amount of product delivered.

The aforesaid dosage group is, in practice, constituted by an electromagnetic litre-counter and exploits a principle of measure of the flow based on Faraday's law, relative to the electromagnetic induction and valid for all the electroconductive liquids.

External factors such as pressure, temperature, viscosity and density of the product do not affect, within certain values monitored by the vending machine, the result and the consequent measure of the flow.

I In practice, the use of the dosage group allows to safeguard the end consumer from all the points of view and, in particular, with regard to all the hygienic-sanitary and economic aspects.

Finally, the automatic vending machine is intended for sale, directly from the producer to the consumer or through third parties, of two doses of milk (1/2 litre or 1 litre, at customer's choice) pre-defined by the manufacturer and can contain inside an active tank whose maximum capacity is 200 litres, two tanks (one active and one passive), each with a maximum capacity of 200 or 300 litres, which, connected together, allow to get a reserve for a total of 400 or 600 litres, or three tanks (one active and two passive) each with a maximum capacity of 200 litres, which, connected together, allow to get a reserve for a total of 600 litres.

Further purposes and advantages of the present invention will be clear from the following description, referring to a specific illustrative and preferred, but not limited to, embodiment of the automatic vending machine for the distribution of loose liquids, particularly loose raw milk, which is the object of present invention, and attached drawings, provided for illustrative and preferred but not limited to, example too, in which:

figure 1 shows a perspective view of an illustrative and not limiting embodiment of an automatic vending for the distribution of loose liquids, according to the present invention;

figure 2 shows a provisional block diagram of the operation principle of the automatic vending machine for the distribution of loose liquids of figure 1 , according to the present invention;

figure 3 shows a perspective view of an illustrative and not limiting embodiment of a storage container or tank of loose liquids, contained in the automatic vending machine of figure 1 , according to the invention;

- figure 4 shows an enlargement of a construction detail of the container of figure 3, according to the present invention.

With reference to the figures cited, the automatic vending machine for the distribution of loose liquids and, in particular, loose raw milk, according to the present invention, includes an outer casing 10, provided with a wood cabin or metal box and/or distributor of glass or PET bottles or combined with one or more distributors of packaged fresh products, and a front panel 1 1 , provided with activation and/or delivery buttons 12 and token machine or payment system 13 in general.

A compartment 14, provided with door 15, inside of which the customer can place the bottle during its filling with loose raw milk and from which he can take the bottle once the filling is done, is made in on the front panel 1 1.

The compartment 14 is cooled and provided with a retractable nozzle for delivering milk and steam sterilization means of the niche, while one or more storage tanks . or vats 16, containing the loose raw milk to be delivered, are inserted into the casing 10, which are equipped with truck 17 for the maximum ease and speed of the replacement operations and which are made of materials that are specifically dedicated to the contained liquid (food plastic, food stainless steel, etc.).

Each tank 16 is provided with a lid 18 for loading the liquid and cleaning thereof, through an automatic washing system 19, and with an output in order to connect a suction pipe thereto.

Furthermore, a central hole allows the passage of the shaft of a mechanical paddles mixing (if installed), which keeps the milk in it contained uniform and prevents the parts of different weights split, thus keeping constant over time the characteristics of the raw milk contained into the tank 16.

A check valve, placed immediately after the tap, also avoids the emptying of the pipe during the breaks between one delivery and the other, making the system independent from the level of liquid present in the tank 6 and preventing the formation of air bubbles, while a filter which can be remove and inspect locks and holds inside any impurity of the liquid, which could damage the pump of delivery and affect the measures.

A dosage group of predetermined. volumes is also fixed on the lid 18 of tank 16, the group including a pump 20 which, once operated, intakes the liquid from the tank 16 and coveys it to an electromagnetic flow-meter or litre- counter and from here to the outlet tube and, then, into the container to be filled.

An electric motor, built with an adequate degree of protection from spray and powder, ensures the rotation of the volumetric pump 20.

The volumetric pump 20 is associated with a closing electric valve (bypass electric valve), which is driven at the start of the delivery and allows the flow to proceed to the litre-counter container and, then, to the final client, locking it then, once reached the prefixed and measured amount, directing the flow towards the inlet of the pump itself.

According to the invention, an electromagnetic litre-counter is used as flow measuring device, in which the principle of measure of the flow is based on Faraday's law relating to the electromagnetic induction.

Such an instrument offers reliability and accuracy in the measure of flows for all the electroconductive liquids, since external factors such as pressure, temperature, viscosity and density do not affect the result and subsequent measure. The electromagnetic flow-meter or litre-counter comprises a sensor with memory 22, installed on at least one tank 16 of the loose product and suitable to measure the passage and amount of liquid flow by sending appropriate signals to a transmitter/converter 21.

Each sensor 22 is completely insensitive to changes in viscosity, density and temperature and contains an inner memory where the setting factory data concerning the measure (pulses/litre) are positioned, as well as a unique code which allows the self-recognition by the signal converter 21 thereof.

Such a memory unit, allowing the self-recognition of the sensor 22 by the transmitter 21 , allows the make the sensor itself independent and, therefore, to exchange it with other ones without any problem and thanks to the installation and wiring of a special pin placed at the top of the head of the sensor 22.

The aforesaid signal transmitter/converter 21 receives the signals from the measure sensor 22, reads the characteristics of the sensor itself and, in particular, the factory setting parameters and converts a pulses voltage signal received into read flow (in litres), sending such a measure to a central electronic unit 23.

Finally, thanks to a specially studied and designed cable system and a connector plug, the transmitter 21 remains integral part of the vending machine.

The central electronic unit 23 controls all the functions of the vending machine, since it controls the payment systems 24, enables and blocks the sale and/or dosing, receives the pulses per litre by the converter 21 , manages the screen 25 at end customer's availability, performs internal checks and/or manages the peripheral 26, such as activation buttons 12 (which, once the credit has been inserted, allow to choose one of the doses to be delivered), printers, alarms and/or GSM localizers.

The vending machine according to the invention allows to use different payment systems, such as a credit in the form of currency, banknote, electronic key or even more and allows the end customer to withdraw the product in the pre-defined and desired dose; it, also, allows to give the customer a sum amount equal to the unused rest or corresponding to the amount not delivered by the system.

The screen 25 allows the end user to view the information about the price of the product to be purchased, delivery date, product temperature and delivered quantity, and is also used by the operator to set the parameters of the machine and by the manufacturer to set factory setting values.

In particular, the operator of the automatic vending machine, which is responsible for carrying out routine maintenance (change of the product, change of the tank, cleanliness, etc.), can gain access inside the casing 10 through proper keys, but he cannot get access to parts of the machine suitable to measure the doses, without tampering with the appropriate seals.

Even the technicians, who carry out the technical service and extraordinary maintenance, may gain access to certain parts with the aid of tools, but they cannot gain access to the part of measure of the doses, in order to amend or replace them, without tampering with the appropriate seals.

In practice, according to the invention, each sensor 22, located on the respective tank 16, consists of a stainless steel tube, two coils, electrodes, insulated conductors and connecting flanges and converts the measured flow into an induced electrical signal (typically into a voltage), which is directly proportional to the speed of the liquid. .

In order to test the reliability of the flow-meter used, various measures and tests have been carried out using three tanks 16 and three sensors with memory 22, set at 990 pulses.

In particular, in order to demonstrate that the density of the liquid contained into the tanks 16 does not affect the delivery, the tests have been carried out both with water and with milk, by mounting directly the respective sensor 22 on the tank 16 and placing the transmitter 21 separately, in order to be able to use several independent tanks 16 (thanks to the self-recognition by the transmitter 21 of the sensors 22 used).

The tests have been carried out both on a quantity delivered of ~ litre and on a quantity of 1 litre, since the vending machine, preferably, allows only two delivery volumes, and the measure of the two quantities delivered have been carried out through respective graduate bottles of measure, both with SIT setting ratio.

From the measures carried out, the error calculated on the volume of delivery is:

variable from +0.00% to -0.20% if calculated at an average temperature of 7.64°C with milk;

variable from +0.19% to -0.10% if calculated at an average temperature of 3.59°C with milk;

variable from +0.39% to -0.00% if calculated at an average temperature of 5.75°C with milk;

variable from +0.00% to -0.20% if calculated at an average temperature of 6.70°C with water; variable from +0.00% to -0.20% if calculated at an average temperature of 4.67°C with water;

variable from +0.19% to -0.00% if calculated at an average temperature of 3.58°C with milk;

- variable from +0.19% to -0.00% if calculated at an average temperature of 5.75°C with milk;

variable from +0.10% to +0.30% if calculated at an average temperature of 7.15°C with milk;

variable from +0.00% to +0.19% if calculated at an average temperature of 6.70°C with milk.

The tests have thus demonstrated that the flow-meter used, in accordance with the present invention:

- is in no way influenced by the density of the liquid, since the absolute error detected always stays within a range of values allowed by Directive 2004/22/EC - MID05;

- is in no way affected by the temperature of the liquid, since the absolute error detected always stays within a range of values allowed by Directive 2004/22/EC - MID05; ^,

- also using a milk of 72 hours (i.e. with chemical-physical properties significantly altered and however actually not used, since the loose raw milk of the automatic vending machines must be absolutely replaced daily), the absolute error detected is always inside the range of values allowed by Directive 2004/22/EC - ID05;

- also changing the tanks 16 where the respective sensor 22 is connected, the absolute error detected is always within the range of values allowed by Directive 2004/22/EC - MID05.

Ultimately, the errors detected vary from +0.39% to -0.20% on each litre delivered and remain within the range of values allowed by Directive 2004/22/EC - Ml D05.

The operation of the automatic vending machine for distribution of liquid food substances, which is the object of the invention, is substantially as follows. Initially, the dosage group, regularly fed and operating, is in stand-by ready to deliver.

At this time, it is possible to visualize on the screen 25 of the vending machine the temperature of the liquid and date of delivery, while it is possible to visualize the price of the quantity corresponding to the choice made by the customer by pressing one of the activation buttons 12.

The customer has then to insert a credit equal to at least one delivery, as shown in the column 26 of the front panel 1 1 and how it is possible to visualize on the screen 25 at the press of one of the buttons 12 corresponding to the chosen dose (preferably equal to ~ and 1 litre).

In case the dosage group is blocked due to an alarm or malfunction (lack of electricity to the dosage group, lack of electricity to the payment system, pump failure, pipes failure, lack of pipes connection, product consumed in the tank, closed tap or tank not connected, measure sensor failure, short circuit, etc.), some corresponding red lights light on the screen 25 and, if the customer forces the vending machine by inserting coins and/or recharged key, the system refuses the credit, by giving the coins back to the customer or does not read the key, as it is not able to deliver, or it can guarantee the consumer.

Once reached the credit needed to obtain at least one delivery or inserted a rechargeable key with credit equal to or greater than the dose chosen, the customer can press one of the buttons 12 related to the desired dose and at that time the central electronic unit 23 receives the ability to deliver.

Therefore, the dosing volumetric pump 20, which draws the liquid from the storage tank 16 while simultaneously the bypass electric valve opens in order to allow the flow of fluid entering the sensor 22 to send pulses of electrical signal corresponding to the volume of liquid which is passing into the delivery pipe and is falling into the bottle inserted inside the niche or compartment 14. The pulses are converted into litres of liquid in the transmitter/converter 21 and then sent to the central electronic unit 23, which counts and sum them displaying them on the screen 25.

Once the prefixed and chosen by the customer amount of liquid has been reached, the central electronic unit 23 controls the end of the delivery operation, the block of the pump 20 and the closure of the electric valve and definitely scale the corresponding debt down from the credit accumulated by the customer through its own payment system (coins, banknotes, key, etc.). At this point, the automatic vending machine returns in stand-by conditions ready for a new delivery.

The automatic vending machine according to the invention can be equipped with an uninterruptible power supply group, which, in case of lack of electricity to the dosage group due to the operator or a fault, allows to end the possible current delivery and give the rest, safeguarding the client. In this case, the vending machine is put out of use with the block of the payment systems and with a message on the screen 25 and it resumes the normal operation at the restoration of electricity.

Lacking the electricity to the payment system or due to a persistent short circuit on the 12 volts line or a failure to the connector or cable of the flowmeter, the reader of the keys does not operate, the token machine give the coins back introduced by the customer and it is not possible to withdraw the product.

In case of pump failure and consequent interruption of the flow of the liquid in the litre-counter, a timer of out of use, which is activated simultaneously with the litre-counter, checks that the selected dose is delivered within a maximum time limit (for example, the delivery of a dose of 1 litre lasts around 20 seconds and the maximum set, not changeable, time is 30 seconds).

If this does not happen it means that there is no sufficient flow to correctly operate the dosage group and, therefore, the aforesaid dosage group blocks, the available credit is returned to the client (in the rechargeable key or in coins) and, after a few seconds, the payment system and dosage group activation are inhibited, with the appearance of a message of "meter out of use" on the screen 25.

Finally, if the liquid temperature increases or decreases going out of a pre-set range of operating values (typically 0-4°C), the dosage group blocks, after having completed any current delivery, and inhibits the payment system and product delivery, with the simultaneous appearance of a message of high or low temperature on the screen 25.

If the temperature falls inside the predetermined range of values, the vending machine will restart functioning, but only after operator's intervention who must verify the status of the machine, manually releasing it by activating a button of washing of the automatic system 19.

It is also possible to install an acoustic alarm and/or a peripheral GSM warning signal in order to know in real time the status of the machine and be able to intervene in case of possible faults, and/or a printer suitable to issue receipts as proof the commercial transaction has been made.

The technical features of the automatic vending machine for the distribution of loose liquids, according to the present invention, as well the advantages, are clear from the description made.

It is, finally, clear that many other variations may be made to the vending machine in question, without departing from the principle of novelty intrinsic in the inventive idea expressed here, as it is clear that, in the practical implementation of the invention^ materials, shapes and sizes of the illustrated details can be changed, as needed, and replaced with others technically equivalent.

Claims

1. Automatic vending machine for the distribution of loose liquids, particularly raw loose milk, comprising:

- at least an outer casing (10), provided with at least one panel (1 1 ), on which at least one seat (14) is made for positioning at least one container during dispensing of said loose liquid, and

- at least one storage tank or vat (16) of said loose liquid, which has a dosage group including delivery means (20) of said loose liquid which is conveyed from said tank (16) to an output pipe and said container,

characterized in that at least one electromagnetic flow-meter or litres counter is placed between said output pipe and said delivery means (20), so as to make a measurement of the liquid delivered, said measurement not being influenced by external factors, such as pressure, temperature, viscosity and/or density of the liquid.

2. Automatic machine as claim 1 , characterized in that said delivery means (20) include at least one pump, which is associated with at least one electric valve, said electric valve being triggered when a delivery of the liquid starts and allowing the flow of said liquid to flow towards said flow-meter, said flow being stopped upon reaching a predetermined and measured volumetric amount of liquid.

3. Automatic machine as claim 1 , characterized in that said flowmeter comprises at least one sensor (22) with internal memory, each sensor (22) being connected to at least one tank (16) of said liquid and being capable of converting a measured flow into an induced electrical signal, which is directly proportional to the flow of said liquid.

4. Automatic machine as claim 3, characterized in that said internal memory of the sensor (22) contains the factory calibration data relating to the measure.

5. Automatic machine as claim 3, characterized in that said sensor (22) is associated with at least a unique code which allows a self-recognition by a signal transmitter/converter (21 ) or by a central electronic unit (23).

6. Automatic machine as claim 5, characterized in that said signal transmitter/converter (21 ) is connected and wired with said sensor (22) through a special plug.

7. Automatic machine as claim 5, characterized in that said signal transmitter/converter (21 ) is an integral part of said automatic vending machine and receives a pulsed electrical signal from said sensor (22) and convert said electrical signal into a measure of volume or flow, said measure of volume or flow being sent to said central electronic unit (23).

8. Automatic machine as claim 5, characterized in that said central electronic unit (23) controls the payment systems (24), such as coins, banknotes and/or rechargeable keys, enables and blocks the sale and/or the dosage of said liquid, controls at least one display screen (25) available to the client, performs internal controls and/or controls other devices (26), such as activation buttons (12), printers, alarms and/or localized GSM, etc.

9. Automatic machine as claim 3, characterized in that each sensor (22) includes at least a tubular element, two or more coils, electrodes, insulated wires and connection flanges.

10. Automatic machine as claim 1 , characterized in that said machine include at least timer device, in order to verify that a dose of liquid is delivered within a predetermined maximum time limit.

1 1 . Automatic machine as claim 5, characterized in that said central electronic unit (23) blocks said dosage group and inhibits the payment system and the delivery of said loose liquid if the temperature of said loose liquid and/or the internal temperature of said housing (10) is different with respect to a preset range of operation values.